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Saturday, July 23, 2011

Went to factory worked 1/2 day. Pa, MA + Rollie went to Celeron about noon + came back at midnight. Frank Warn came down + we went swimming he stayed all night with me.

(Aged 17)
Wea. SUN. JULY 23, 1899 Ther.

In A.M. Leon Page + I took a boat ride on the Conewango in Mel Bragg’s boat, its a new one just launched yesterday. I can take it anytime I wish. In P.M. went to Sunday School and rode up home with Mattie Cowan after. In eve went up to Cowan’s to eat ice cream. Allie Smedly, Anna Warn + Ray Lawson were there had a fine time.

Ice Cream maker

(Aged 18)
Wea. MON. JULY 23, 1900 Ther.

Worked haying. In eve went up to the burg + got pa a box a cigars.

(Aged 19)
Wea. TUE. JULY 23, 1901 Ther.

Finished haying at pa’s.

(Aged 20)
Wea. WED. JULY 23, 1902 Ther.

Fixed fence. Went up + got some things of that woman who is selling out up to Shaw’s.

(Aged 21)
Wea. THU. JULY 23, 1903 Ther.

NO ENTRY AGAIN UNTIL OCTOBER 10th

***********

Editor's Note: As far as we know this is the first time Allen had gone to see Mattie since the fight with his father. Clearly he was in his element with the group of girls.

Friday, July 22, 2011

Worked 1/2 day in P.M. Pa went to factory. I put in paris green on grandma’s potatoes. In eve Elmer Warn + Harry Pretty were down.

(Aged 17)
Wea. SAT. JULY 22, 1899 Ther.

Worked all day. Ma, Rollie + Mrs. Mason went to town. In eve I went in swimming.

(Aged 18)
Wea. SUN. JULY 22, 1900 Ther.

Went to factory + slept in A.M. In P.M. Alice + I took a drive up to J. Page’s got home at 2 A.M.

(Aged 19)
Wea. MON. JULY 22, 1901 Ther.

Put the calves in the pasture in front of grandma’s. Cows got out in the corn.

(Aged 20)
Wea. TUE. JULY 22, 1902 Ther.

Shook out hay. Pa + I went over to see my yearling. Ma, Rollie, Alice, grandma + the baby went up to Gib’s.

(Aged 21)
Wea. WED. JULY 22, 1903 Ther.

NO ENTRY AGAIN UNTIL OCTOBER 10th

***********

Editor's Note: In a quirky gift shop yesterday in Flat Rock, NC I found a perfume bottle labeled "Poison-- Paris Green --Poison". I had it in my hand but couldn't bring myself to buy it in the end. But isn't that just the way? You learn a new word and all of the sudden it's everywhere.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Stayed at home all day. Mowed in A.M. Raked it in P.M. it rained about 4 o’clock P.M.

(Aged 16)
Wea. THU. JULY 21, 1898 Ther.

Went to factory. Worked all day. In eve went in swimming.

(Aged 17)
Wea. FRI. JULY 21, 1899 Ther.

Worked all day am awful tired.

(Aged 18)
Wea. SAT. JULY 21, 1900 Ther.

Worked haying. In eve went up to Ivory + Frank Warn’s. Frank has the mumps.
Got a letter from Alice.

(Aged 19)
Wea. SUN. JULY 21, 1901 Ther.

Stayed at home all day.

(Aged 20)
Wea. MON. JULY 21, 1902 Ther.

Fixed fence.

(Aged 21)
Wea. TUE. JULY 21, 1903 Ther.

NO ENTRY AGAIN UNTIL OCTOBER 10th

***********

Editor's Note: Mumps continue on their rounds through Carroll. The underlining of the word was all Allen's emphasis. I can imagine he turned up to say hello and someone came out on the porch and stopped him in his tracks.

Worked part of the day. Pa + Ma set up with Erie Cowan tonight. In eve Leon Page was over.

(Aged 18)
Wea. FRI. JULY 20, 1900 Ther.

Worked haying.

(Aged 19)
Wea. SAT. JULY 20, 1901 Ther.

Stayed at home all day was sick. The doctor stopped to see Alice. He will give her medicine tomorrow.

(Aged 20)
Wea. SUN. JULY 20, 1902 Ther.

Stayed at home all day. In eve men went up to Earle Town’s

(Aged 21)
Wea. MON. JULY 20, 1903 Ther.

NO ENTRY AGAIN UNTIL OCTOBER 10th.

***********

Editor's Note: In 1901 both Allen and Alice are sick. No mention of Willard being so but I'm sure Nora was there to help out. Today we are spoiled with phone-in prescriptions that are ready by the time we get to the drive-thru windows at Walgreens. Back then it seems first the doctor had to be fetched and then the prescription came the following day.

When R and I were first married, I took him to one of my all-time favorite spots from childhood -- Clark's Reservation in Syracuse, NY. While walking the trails we came across this tree. I have to say they made it a good long time and clearly retained their sense of humor.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Went over to Grandma’s. Rollie + I , Pa + Ma went down to Aunt Em’s she is better. I traded knives with Fred Slater.

(Aged 16)
Wea. TUE. JULY 19, 1898 Ther.

In A.M. went to factory + hunting with Frank Warn. In P.M. + eve we went up to Falconer + Celeron got my wheel got home at 2 A.M. My wheel cost $2.00 I spent .55 cents going to Celeron

(Aged 17)
Wea. WED. JULY 19, 1899 Ther.

Worked all day. In eve went to the burg + took Mrs. Mason home. Pa + I had a fuss today about my going up to Cowan’s. I shall go just the same till I come across something better + if he gets too funny I’ll take my things + skip.

(Aged 18)
Wea. THU. JULY 19, 1900 Ther.

Worked all day. Harry Mossier began work for us.

(Aged 19)
Wea. FRI. JULY 19, 1901 Ther.

Helped Pa hay it. Alice + Ma went to the burg.

(Aged 20)
Wea. SAT. JULY 19, 1902 Ther.

Went up to Arnie Shaw’s. Gail fixed fence. Went over to see my yearling at Travers (?)

(Aged 21)
Wea. SUN. JULY 19, 1903 Ther.

NO ENTRY AGAIN UNTIL OCTOBER 10th.

***********

Editor's Note: Wow, 1899 is a bit rough. Now you might think Allen's dad Frank wants him to visit the ailing Erie Cowan but I think the truth is much more unsavory. I think that Frank believes Allen is just using Mattie Cowan with no serious intentions. Allen is of an age at this point where a girl might think a romance should lead to marriage.

" I shall go just the same till I come across something better + if he gets too funny I’ll take my things + skip."

Ghastly behavior. I'm hoping it was just backlash to Frank's insinuations. Because, in fairness we have never heard Allen speak unkindly once so a good deal of this could be his anger at his father questioning his motives toward Mattie that makes him sound so hurtful. Yet, it certainly sounds as if he is using her until he finds "something better". Things are coming to a boil between he and Frank and I think it is over more than Mattie Cowan. Allen should have taken a page from Edward III's book.

Maybe the reason you can't go home again is that home is always changing; we are always changing. What you left is no longer there just like you can't swim in the same river twice. It may look the same and similar comforts abound but you return a different person. However, as long as there is family waiting, you can most definitely go home again.

Monday, July 18, 2011

Worked 1/2 day. Went to factory. In P.M. took my wheel up to Falconer + Ma up to Jamestown to see Dr. Brooks.

(Aged 17)
Wea. TUE. JULY 18, 1899 Ther.

Worked all day. Ma + Rollie went to the burg + brought Mrs. Mason up. Got a letter from Elmer Warn.

(Aged 18)
Wea. WED. JULY 18, 1900 Ther.

Laid around all day. In P.M. France Long came down. In eve went to Celeron. I took Alice he went alone.

(Aged 19)
Wea. THU. JULY 18, 1901 Ther.

Fixed fence + tinkered around. Alice’s mother came down.

(Aged 20)
Wea. FRI. JULY 18, 1902 Ther.

Hayed it at pa’s.

(Aged 21)
Wea. SAT. JULY 18, 1903 Ther.

NO ENTRY MADE AGAIN UNTIL OCTOBER 10th.

Editor's Note: Finally more information about France Long, albeit very little, but France is a he. So instead of being another female admirer he is just a friend willing to tag along dateless to Celeron while Allen takes Allen.

Gram, Diana, Diana and Jen at Allegany State Park. Funny, I don't think anyone is particularly happy in the shot but I'm digging Gram's white pumps

How has the world used you for the last two days? Haven’t lost any shoes have you? I was very tired last night for we worked very hard but tonight I feel better. I think I could stand it to be out again if you were around here.

To night pa got through milking first and Rollie and I were alone in the stable well he was seated upon the shelf and I couced him with mile and I did it up fine too see photo other side.

Scene on the Cass farm at milking time on night of July 17. Drawn by one who as present.

Isn’t it natural Alice I send this to you so you can see what I was brought up in. Can you expect much of me.

Rollie: “Oh Gosh Darn you if you don’t stop I’ll tell pa.”

II

Well enough of such things now be serious. Alice do you want to go to the opera tomorrow eve. I think I can go but am not sure. If it isn’t a hay-day I can go anyway but if it is I think I can come shall try very hard any way.

Will you go with me if you will meet me at the Sherman House at 7.15 but if I am not there at that time wait for me in the waiting room till 8 o’clock. And if you are not there when I come I’ll wait for you till 8 and perhaps I’ll come up to the house and see what’s the matter if you don’t show up by 8. I suppose I should come to the back door. Well I will come there any way. But come to the S.H. if you can Alice. Of course I can’t say for sure I’ll be there but I shall if I possibly can. I

I come tomorrow eve because it is your day off and I know you can go if you haven’t another engagement.

I expect at least a full page in the letter I am to get tomorrow from you.

III

although you will do well if you get half a page written for I have several letters from you which are short and not so sweet as they might be.

I haven’t any news to tell because I haven’t seen any one.

This morning when I was combing my hair ( for I do comb it sometimes) pa says “You wouldn’t have thought of parting hour hair in the middle if I hadn’t asked you not to.” And latter on when we were drawing in hay I began talking about studying law and he said, :when I want you to do a thin you won’t but when I give it up you want to.” You know he wanted me to study law a year os so ago but I didn’t know then for sure as I would like to. But you decided that question for me. Well I guess I had better retire or rip + tear so that I’ll be awake tomorrow night if I can go.

Mowed in the A.M. Raked it up in the P.M. Bought a knife of Devillo Kinneston for 3 cents. Pa lost his Tuesday + I had Rollie’s so he took it a way from me.

(Aged 16)
Wea. SUN. JULY 17, 1898 Ther.

Went to factory. Stayed at home all day. In eve went up to Geo Comstock’s with Jim Smith. MA + Rollie went up to Mrs. Mason’s.

(Aged 17)
Wea. MON. JULY 17, 1899 Ther.

?

(Aged 18)
Wea. TUE. JULY 17, 1900 Ther.

Worked haying all day. Wrote a letter to Alice and one to Verna White.

(Aged 19)
Wea. WED. JULY 17, 1901 Ther.

Hayed it at pa’s.

(Aged 20)
Wea. THU. JULY 17, 1902 Ther.

Rained last night. Mowed by hand and cut brush. I went up to the burg + got a lb of salt. Took Alice up home.

(Aged 21)
Wea. FRI. JULY 17, 1903 Ther.

'
NO ENTRY AGAIN UNTIL OCTOBER 10th.

***********

Editor's Note: Knives in the round. Why would little Rollie have a knife any how? He was four going on five, was it necessary? Did he know how to use it properly? Basically, he had it in name only because it obviously was the family back-up knife. I bet Rollie didn't even know he owned one.

I don't know where 1899's entry went so I will retrace it anon.

As for 1900, it is curious for a few reasons. 1) We have the letter he wrote to Alice and 2) What the hell did he have to write to Verna White on the same day? I have always enjoyed the sweetness of the letter that I will post shortly but imagine my surprise when I see that he wrote to another girl on the very same night. Did she get such an endearing and intimate note as Alice? Harrumph.

Nothing like taking umbrage 111 years after the fact, right? But I do feel a little let down. I'm going to remind myself how it all turned out...

Diana and Jennifer

Swing on Valley Gate Farm. Photo by Rollin Cass, 1970

Diana and Jennifer...aging

Welcome to the Checkered Chicken!

January 1, 2011, I began this blog to transcribe my great-grandfather Allen Frank Cass' daily diaries in collaboration with my sister. Since that time, the Checkered Chicken has transformed into an online museum for our family's genealogical treasures. We hope as you read along you are reminded of your own family stories and encouraged to preserve your past for your future.

As always, this blog is dedicated to our ancestors and for all to enjoy.